The Fitness Zone

Exercise could be as effective as some drugs for treating heart disease and stroke, a new study has suggested.

A meta-analysis of 339,274 participants in 305 randomised controlled trials has shown that exercise may be better than drugs at reducing the risk of death in people who have suffered heart disease or strokes.

Harvard Medical School, Stanford University's School of Medicine, and the London School of Economics collaborated to produce these findings.

Their analysis found exercise was more effective than drugs in reducing mortality from stroke. In addition, exercise was just as effective as drugs in treating coronary heart disease and pre-diabetes.

However, when it came to treating heart failure, drugs appeared to be the more effective treatment. The British Medical Journal published the analysis results online.

After such findings, the team called for more urgent research into the value of exercise. They explained that most current medical literature focuses on drugs, and limits doctors to drug options instead of exercise.

The team recommended that, until more research is done, the medical community should consider exercise a viable alternative or additional option to drugs.

This brings yet another opportunity for Personal Trainers to be able to provide real benefits to those with heart disease and those who have suffered from strokes.

This content is not intended to be used as individual health or fitness advice divorced from that imparted by medical, health or fitness professionals. Medical clearance should always be sought before commencing an exercise regime. The Institute and the authors do no take any responsibility for accident or injury caused as a result of this information.